Specialist Indigenous Relations

South32; Townsville City; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave 26 weeks (full-paid) or

Flexible work options (home, hours,‑)

Share plans

Additional superannuation

Job summary

South32 in Australia is seeking a Specialist Indigenous Relations to strengthen engagement with Traditional Owners and First Nations communities. You will guide cultural heritage initiatives, RAP delivery, and stakeholder engagement while supporting project delivery and risk management.

The role requires building trusted relationships, coordinating across programs, and promoting inclusive, culturally safe workplaces with travel to site as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience building effective relationships with Traditional Owners or Indigenous communities.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Experience coordinating projects, programs or community initiatives.
• Understanding of cultural heritage, Indigenous engagement or community relations in a resources or government setting.
• Strong organisational skills to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain trusted Traditional Owner relationships with respectful engagement.
• Support cultural heritage and land access activities for operational delivery.
• Drive RAP outcomes across employment, capability and procurement initiatives.
• Coordinate strategic projects and stakeholder initiatives for External Affairs programs.
• Provide guidance on Indigenous relations, heritage and community engagement matters.
• Champion inclusion and cultural awareness in the workplace.

Skills

Relationship building

Stakeholder engagement

Project coordination

Cultural heritage knowledge

Organizational skills

Job description

At South32, we’re meeting the challenge of enabling a sustainable future through our focus on responsibly producing commodities critical for a low-carbon world.

As a collaborative, caring and inclusive company, there’s no better place to make a genuine difference. Together we’re making a positive, global impact that has the potential to change lives.

Whatever career path you choose, we’ll support you every step of the way to learn, grow and succeed. So join us, step towards a brighter future and leave your legacy.

ABOUT CANNINGTON

Our Cannington operation is one of the world's largest producers of silver and lead. Located in northwest Queensland, Cannington boasts an underground mine and processing facility situated approximately 800 kilometres west of Townsville and a concentrate handling facility at the Port of Townsville.

Flights are direct to the onsite airport, and the mine is only 3.5 km from camp—the perfect distance for a sunset walk or run home along a purpose-built walking track. The onsite accommodation includes meal services, sports/gym facilities, swimming pool, music room, and social area.

WHAT SOUTH32 OFFERS

• 26 weeks full-paid, or 52 weeks half-paid parental leave for primary carers
• Flexible work options include working from home, flexible hours & job sharing
• The opportunity to become a shareholder of South32 through our share plans
• Options for additional superannuation contributions

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is a permanent, full-time role opportunity, on a 5/2 Monday to Friday roster. The work location is flexible, with mandatory travel to site to meet business needs.

As the Specialist Indigenous Relations, you will play a key role in strengthening relationships between Cannington and our Traditional Owners, supporting meaningful engagement, cultural heritage outcomes and Indigenous participation across the business.

You will:

• Build and maintain trusted Traditional Owner relationships, ensuring respectful engagement, collaboration and delivery of shared outcomes.
• Support cultural heritage and land access activities, coordinating Traditional Owner participation to enable operational and project delivery while meeting cultural heritage obligations.
• Drive Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) outcomes, helping progress initiatives across Indigenous employment, capability development, procurement, cultural awareness and community engagement.
• Coordinate strategic projects and stakeholder initiatives, supporting the delivery of key External Affairs programs through effective governance, reporting and stakeholder engagement.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance on Indigenous relations, cultural heritage and community engagement matters, helping manage risks and identify opportunities for positive outcomes.
• Champion inclusion and cultural awareness, contributing to a respectful, culturally safe and high-performing workplace.

ABOUT YOU

What you’ll bring:

• Experience building effective relationships with Traditional Owners, Indigenous communities or First Nations groups.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Experience coordinating projects, programs or community initiatives.
• An understanding of cultural heritage, Indigenous engagement or community relations in a resources, government or related environment.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, commitments and stakeholders.

Qualifications for this position are:

• Current Drivers Licence

South32 is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we operate. We provide a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible for all and we encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

This job advert will close on Friday, 23rd October 2026.